After more than 30 attempts, Dubliner Larry Mooney soaked up the applause after a long-coveted victory in the annual Liffey Swim on Saturday afternoon.
"I feel great - it's magic," yelled the 52-year-old, his arms aloft. "I'm wrecked, but . . . I really wanted to win that."
Clear skies and a languorous breeze made for near-perfect conditions as some 300 men and women took to the grey-green waters for the annual 2.2km (1.36 mile) race.
The women's race was won by Sandra Dowling, who completed the course from Watling Street Bridge to the Customs House in 25 minutes and 55 seconds.
The Channel Islands were crowned champion in the international section, followed by the US and England. This year, 213 Irish men and 114 Irish women competed with 11 swimmers from America, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland and the Channel Islands.
The youngest competitor, at just 13, was Lucy Gaynor. Other swimmers included Joe Oakes, who at 73 added his first Liffey Swim to a list of international achievements that includes the Bering Strait, the Dardanelles, the Strait of Gibraltar and the English Channel.
"I was the last swimmer coming in and I was very happy about it," he said. "I just followed the crowd, and I loved every bit of it."
